Public Power Solutions plans to build 50MW battery storage facility in Swindon, UK

Public Power Solutions (PPS) has revealed plans to build a 50MW battery-based electricity storage facility at the former Mannington Depot site in Swindon, UK.

The company, which is a subsidiary of Swindon Borough Council, has submitted a planning application to the town authorities in this regard.

The battery storage project is expected to help in providing balancing services for the National Grid.

It is also anticipated to help facilitate the increasing proportion of renewable generation in the UK, and guarantee greater flexibility for the energy system, to align with the recent industrial strategy announced by the federal government.

PPS Power Solutions head Steve Cains said: “Rapid technological advances have now made energy storage a viable proposition. This has the potential to be a real game changer, helping to integrate the variable generation from renewables, reduce costs for consumers, and build a clean energy system fit for the future.

“The site at Mannington is perfect for a facility like this, and we’d like to help other local authorities develop similar projects.”

The project is likely to become one of the largest standalone batteries to be developed till date in the UK, in terms of capacity.

It will link to the grid through the nearby substation located at Toothill.

The batteries of the energy storage project will be placed in containers with the project having a lifespan of 30 years.

Swindon Borough Council Sustainability Cabinet Member Cllr Toby Elliott said: “I am really excited by this battery storage project, which builds on the success of our award-winning community solar farm schemes and shows that Swindon is once again blazing the trail in the clean energy field.

“It also shows how our inventive use of technology can generate an income for the Council at a time when we are having to close a £30m funding gap over the next two and a half years.”

The project is expected to provide considerable land rental value for Swindon Borough Council for a brownfield site.